How Tilers Can Use Local SEO to Stay Booked Solid
Let’s face it—most people don’t search for a tiler on a whim. They search because they need one right now. Maybe their bathroom looks like a crime scene of cracked ceramics. Maybe the kitchen splashback tiles fell victim to an overenthusiastic DIY project. Whatever the reason, when someone types “tiler near me” into Google, you want to be the one they call.
That’s where local SEO comes in.
In this guide, we’re going to walk through exactly how local SEO helps you—yes, you, the busy UK tiler—get found online, fill your calendar with paying clients, and grow your business sustainably. No fluff. No complicated jargon. Just real strategies you can use (and a few funny tales from the trade to keep things relatable).
First Things First: What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is how you make sure your business shows up when people in your local area search for services like yours. For example:
“tiler in Wigan”
“bathroom tiling specialist near me”
“kitchen tiling quotes Southend”
Local SEO focuses on helping you rank in the local pack (that little map and list of businesses that show when you search on Google) and in local organic search results.
Unlike national SEO where you’re competing with big names and national chains, local SEO levels the playing field—so long as you’ve got the right bits in place.
Why Local SEO Is a Game-Changer for Tilers
Think about how you’d find a service you needed urgently. Say your boiler breaks down. You’d probably:
Pull out your phone.
Type “boiler repair near me” or “gas engineer Southend”.
Click on one of the top 3 listings.
Your potential customers do the same when they need a tiler. They don’t scroll past page 2 looking for someone with a witty Instagram bio or gold-leaf logo. They want someone local, available, and trustworthy.
Real-Life Example:
Dave, a tiler in Chelmsford, was relying purely on word-of-mouth. A mate told him about Google Business Profiles. Within two months of setting it up properly (and getting a few decent reviews), Dave’s phone was ringing twice as much. Now? He’s turning away jobs he can’t fit in.
You can be like Dave.
Step-by-Step: How to Use Local SEO as a Tiler
1. Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile
This is non-negotiable. Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the little box that shows your business name, reviews, photos, hours, and map location.
Here’s how to get started:
Head to google.com/business
Claim or create your listing.
Add your business name, phone number, and address (NAP details).
Choose your category (e.g., “Tiler” or “Tile Contractor”).
Upload real photos of your work.
Add your opening hours.
Write a short but engaging description of what you do.
👉 Pro tip: Post updates every week on your GBP—photos of recent jobs, tips on tile care, or before-and-after shots. Google loves active profiles.
2. Get Reviews from Happy Customers
If you’ve ever checked restaurant reviews before booking, you already know how powerful testimonials can be.
The same applies here. Good reviews = trust = more clients.
Here’s how to get more reviews:
After finishing a job, simply ask. Say: “Would you mind leaving me a quick review on Google? It really helps people find me.”
Send a link directly to the review page (you can generate this from your GBP).
Text it or email it—whatever suits your client.
Anecdote:
One tiler we worked with in Romford started giving customers a fridge magnet with his logo and a QR code linking to his review page. He said it felt less “salesy”—and guess what? Review numbers doubled in 3 weeks.
3. Nail Your Website Basics
Even if you get leads from Google Maps, most customers will still check your website before booking.
Your site doesn’t need to be fancy. But it does need to have these:
Your name, business name, and where you work.
Clear services (e.g., wall tiling, bathroom tiling, regrouting).
Your contact details—phone number, contact form, and email.
Some photos of your recent work.
A few reviews or testimonials.
A page for each service or area you cover (more on this in a moment).
And yes, it should be mobile-friendly. Most people are checking on their phones while standing in their half-tilled kitchen.
4. Use the Right Keywords on Your Website
Keywords help Google understand what you do and where you work.
Use phrases like:
“Tiler in [your town]”
“Professional tiling services [county]”
“Bathroom wall tiling specialist near [postcode]”
Add them to:
Your homepage
Your service pages
Your meta titles and descriptions (these show in Google search)
Image file names and alt text
Don’t stuff the keywords in—just use them naturally.
5. Create Location Pages if You Serve Multiple Areas
Let’s say you’re based in Basildon but also cover Rayleigh, Wickford, and Southend.
Instead of listing those all on one page, create a separate page for each area:
Tiling Services in Rayleigh
Southend Bathroom Tiling
Wickford Floor Tiler
Each page should include:
A short intro about the area (you can mention landmarks or what kind of homes are common there)
The services you offer
Photos of work you’ve done locally
A call to action to book you
This helps you show up when people search “[tiler] + [town]”.
6. Build Local Links
A “link” is when another website links to yours. Local links help build your authority.
Where to get them:
Local business directories (Yell, Scoot, Thomson Local)
Trade association sites (Checkatrade, Rated People, TrustATrader)
Local Facebook groups or community websites
Your town council or chamber of commerce website (some have business directories)
7. Keep Your NAP Consistent Everywhere
That’s Name, Address, and Phone Number. It needs to be exactly the same everywhere online—Google, your website, directories, social media, etc.
Inconsistencies confuse Google and hurt your rankings.
8. Don’t Forget Social Media
You don’t have to be a TikTok star, but having a Facebook Page or Instagram account can support your SEO:
Tag your location in posts
Use hashtags like #SouthendTiler or #UKTiling
Share your Google reviews and job photos
Link back to your website
This sends more signals to Google that you’re a real, active business.
FAQs: Tilers & Local SEO
“I don’t have a website—can I still do local SEO?”
Yes, you can still show up in the map listings with a well-optimised Google Business Profile. But having a website strengthens your presence and gives potential customers more confidence.
“How long does it take to see results?”
Usually 1–3 months to see noticeable changes, depending on how competitive your area is and how consistent your efforts are. But some businesses see results within weeks after optimising their Google Business Profile and getting reviews.
“What’s the most important thing to do first?”
Start with your Google Business Profile. It’s free, quick, and can have a big impact. Then get some reviews and work on your website.
“Do I need to hire an SEO company?”
You can do it yourself—but if you’re short on time or tech confidence, working with an SEO company (like us) means it gets done properly and faster.
“Can I use the same photos and content on every location page?”
Better not. Google likes unique content. Use different job photos and tweak the text slightly for each location.
Tiling SEO: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few errors we see time and time again:
❌ Using a mobile number as your business name on Google
— People won’t trust it. Use your actual name or business name.
❌ No photos on your Google Business Profile
— It makes your business look inactive or untrustworthy.
❌ Listing your services as “handyman” instead of “tiler”
— Be specific. Google needs clear signals.
❌ No reviews
— If you’ve been trading 10 years and have no reviews, customers may think you’re new or inactive.
Why This Matters
Here’s the thing—most tilers we speak to are brilliant at what they do. They can turn a dated bathroom into something out of Grand Designs.
But if people can’t find you online? It doesn’t matter how good your grout work is.
Local SEO bridges the gap between your skills and the people looking to pay for them.
You might think “I’ve always relied on word-of-mouth.” That’s great. But word-of-mouth is changing. It lives online now—in reviews, recommendations, and search results.
Just one well-optimised profile and a few solid reviews can be the difference between “quiet month” and “booked until September.”
Get Found. Get Booked.
Local SEO isn’t magic. But it feels like magic when your phone starts ringing and you don’t have to chase jobs down.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been tiling since the early 2000s, there’s room for you on Google. People are searching. Help them find you.
If you’re not sure where to start—or just want someone to do it for you—we’re here to help.
✅ Let’s Get You Booked Solid
We work with trades like yours every day. Our SEO services are designed for UK tilers who want more calls, more jobs, and less faffing.
📞 Contact us today to book a free SEO chat
